Throughout the process of managing a given project, the project management team and or the project management team leader will utilize and implement a number of different resources and techniques for the purposes of better organizing all of the varied components of the project. One of the tools that is often implemented by the project management team and or the project management team leader is that of the resource breakdown structure, which in terms of project management, is also known as RBS. Specifically speaking, the resource breakdown structure refers to a particular hierarchal structure that is put into place for the purposes of illustrating and demonstrating the totality of the resources that current exist to the project team, and presenting this information in an organized fashion for easy recollection by all of those who may need it. The resources are broken down into categories as well as resource types that may be used in any and all resource leveling schedules, as well as to those that may be used for purposes of identifying needs in regards to human resources and staffing.
This term is defined in the 3rd and the 4th edition of the PMBOK.